(Photo provided by Adam Lee)
A new cruise line is coming to Tobermory this summer.
Sailing under the company, Tobermory Cruise Line Inc., there are a few different outings that will become available later in May and into June on the new ship, the Tobermory Legacy.
The new vessel joins the other smaller boat that has provided quick trips around the area for the past couple of years, the Tobermory Flash.
Owner Mike Lee says the cruise will offer a two and a half hour lunch, dinner and sunset outings, which sails around Big Tub Lighthouse, Russel Islands, Cove Island, Flowerpot Island, and others.
The 90 foot ship is capable of transporting 300 passengers but Lee says he does not expect to fill that up, especially during Covid, “depending on how many people we are allowed to carry, based on social distancing, we will patch off some of the seats, cordon them off so that some of them can’t be used.”
Lee says in a lot of cases they get groups that sometimes come in small buses, and if they are traveling together or are in one family, “then can be in one area and seated close together, so you can social distance them from other groups or other individuals.”
Lee notes passengers will also be asked to wear their masks and the vessel will be sanitized, but more details will be provided by Transport Canada and the Health Department at a later date.
Lee says he aims to have the cruise ship operational by mid-May.
While on the cruise as it travels around the area, meals will be offered that include both child and vegetarian friendly options like tacos, pasta and sandwiches.
According to Lee, the Tobermory Legacy will also feature live performances from Terry Connolly, an Irish musician who has signed on to play and provide entertainment on the cruises.
“I think it is something people are going to be interested in, it is something very different from what’s offered here right now,” Lee says.
Lee says, the Legacy will also be able to accommodate special events like weddings and other occasions.